FILM · 2017 · USA
Song to Song
23 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
All facts (23)
- #001
According to Ryan Gosling, no script was used during the filming of the movie.
- #002
Christian Bale was initially planned to have a much more significant role in the film, but in the end he worked on set for only three to four days. His character was ultimately cut from the film because it was reported to be very similar to Michael Fassbender's.
- #003
Christian Bale, Haley Bennett, Trevante Rhodes, Boyd Holbrook, Callie Hernandez, Clifton Collins Jr. and Benicio Del Toro had roles in the film and in filmed scenes, but these were removed during post-production.
- #004
It was shot back to back with Knight of Cups (2015).
- #005
Normally very reclusive, director Terrence Malick took part in a rare post-screening interview at the SXSW festival alongside his star Michael Fassbender, moderated by Richard Linklater. It is one of the only times he has given a public interview.
- #006
According to director Terrence Malick, the first cut of Song to Song (2017) ran 8 hours.
- #007
Part of the film was shot at the 2012 Austin City Limits festival and features artists who performed that year, such as Arcade Fire, John Lydon (also known as Johnny Rotten) and Iron and Wine. Many musicians and bands also have cameos in the film, including Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, Florence Welch of Florence and The Machine, The Black Lips, Lykke Li and The Red Hot Chili Peppers.
- #008
Terrence Malick wanted Song to Song to convey that life feels like a series of moments, which is why so many songs and locations were used in the film.
- #009
At the film's premiere at the SXSW festival, Ryan Gosling admitted he was still not entirely sure what the film was about.
- #010
It was shot in only 40 days spread over a period of about 2 years. Shooting days were long, starting in the morning with only a 30-minute lunch break. The actors were even filmed while moving by car from one place to another, in case the footage turned into interesting images that could be used in the film. [Variety 2017].
- #011
In a scene where Fassbender's character learns that Portman's character has died, the background sound is the popular Polish prayer "Zdrowaś Maryjo", sampled from Wojciech Kilar's "Angelus".
- #012
It is director Terrence Malick's 5th collaboration with cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki.
- #013
Michael Fassbender replaced Christian Bale after Bale stepped back due to American Hustle (2013).
- #014
It was shot mostly using wide-angle lenses.
- #015
On the weekend of 16 September 2011, Terrence Malick was photographed and caught on a film set for the first time during the making of this film.
- #016
It was initially titled "Limitless", then the title "Weightless" was announced, and finally its official title Song to Song (2017) was announced in January 2017.
- #017
The black-and-white silent film footage shown at one point is taken from the silent cult classic Ménilmontant (1926).
- #018
Cate Blanchett and Natalie Portman both appeared in Knight of Cups (2015), also written and directed by Terrence Malick, but they did not share any scenes.
- #019
At the first press screening in Los Angeles, more than 15 people left the theater. As soon as the film ended, a woman said "Yay" and everyone in the theater agreed.
- #020
The release of this film, only a year after Knight of Cups (2015), marks the shortest gap between released films for Terrence Malick, who once took a 20-year break from filmmaking. If the October premiere date of Voyage of Time (2016) is also taken into account, the gap would be even shorter, at five months.
- #021
Mia Wasikowska and Clémence Poésy were considered for the female lead role in Song to Song.
- #022
Michael Fassbender and Natalie Portman were originally set to star together in Macbeth (2015). Portman dropped out before filming began, however, and Marion Cotillard was brought in to replace her.
- #023
Natalie Portman and Cate Blanchett have each appeared in at least one Thor film. Portman appeared in the first two Thor films, while Blanchett appeared in Thor: Ragnarok (2017).
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